Columbus, Ohio – No. 4 men’s tennis fell 1-6 to top-ranked Ohio State in Columbus on Sunday. The Gamecocks became the first team this season to take the doubles point off the Buckeyes but the home team fought back to sweep singles in the match.
In doubles, the Buckeys struck first with No. 35 Robert Cash and Bryce Nakashima defeating Jelani Sarr and Carter Morgan 6-2 at the No. 3 position. It was all Gamecocks at the top two positions though with Lucas Andrade da Silva and James Story pairing up for their second consecutive win together and the No. 2 position and Toby Samuel and Casey Hoole clinching the point with a 6-4 win at the top of the lineup.
The claiming of the doubles point was a welcome change for the Gamecocks who had previously only claimed one doubles point this season with the absence of two-time doubles All-American Connor Thomson remaining a factor.
In singles, No. 50 Samuel was the only Gamecock to put a set on the board, taking the first set off of No. 67 Cannon Kingsley but the Buckeye battled back to claim the match in three sets.
No other Gamecocks were able to get things going with all five other singles courts falling in straight sets.
South Carolina will now await the draw for the ITA Indoor National Championships that will take place in New York City Feb. 16-19. The draw is scheduled to be released on Tuesday. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
(1) Ohio State 6, (4) South Carolina 1
Doubles (order of finish: 3, 2, 1)
- Toby Samuel/Casey Hoole (SC) def. Justin Boulais/Andrew Lutschaunig (OSU) 6-4
- Lucas Andrade da Silva/James Story (SC) def. Cannon Kingsley/JJ Tracy (OSU) 6-3
- #35 Robert Cash/Bryce Nakashima (OSU) def. Jelani Sarr/Carter Morgan (SC) 6-2
Singles (order of finish: 6, 5, 2, 3, 4, 1)
- #67 Cannon Kingsley (OSU) def. #50 Toby Samuel (SC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
- #25 Justin Boulais (OSU) def. Casey Hoole (SC) 6-0, 6-4
- #7 JJ Tracy (OSU) def. James Story (SC) 6-1, 6-4
- #13 Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. #76 Jelani Sarr (SC) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
- Robert Cash (OSU) def. Lucas Andrade da Silva (SC) 6-1, 6-2
- #86 Alexander Bernard (OSU) def. Sean Daryabeigi (SC) 6-3, 6-1